Jaguar Previews AWD F-Type Coupe Ahead of L.A. Reveal

Jaguar has taken the wraps off the future of its popular F-Type sportscar earlier today by unveiling a new member to the family: the 2016 Jaguar F-Type Coupe. The model will bring all-wheel drive to the F-type lineup for the first time ever in a bid to increase sales, while also making the F-Type a four-season performance star.

The company claims that in addition to its improved practicality, the AWD version of the F-Type Coupe R can also rocket its way to 60 mph in a scant 3.9 seconds, a hair quicker than its rear-wheel drive counterpart. It also maintains that model's 186-mph top speed, very impressive considering the car lugs around slightly extra weight, thanks to the built-in AWD system. Jaguar's vehicle line director, Ian Hoban, highlighted the considerable effort that went into retaining the car's playful yet rewarding driving experience in the transistion to AWD. Hoban stated, "Our target with engineering the all-wheel drive F-Type was to maintain the engaging rear-drive charcter that's so important to Jaguar sports cars, yet offer even greater dynamic capability." Look for AWD to be a coupe initially; the company's plans to expand the F-Type lineup to 15 different configurations in 2015. That could mean that an AWD version of the convertible is in the works, as well as other versions featuring a manual transmission. There would possibly be a four-cylinder version to appeal to budget-minded enthusiasts, which would also compete with rivals such as the BMW Z4. Along with the AWD announcement, Jaguar said both versions of the F-Type will feature updated electronics and better connectivity to appeal to tech-minded consumers.

In addition to the unveiling of the AWD F-Type Coupe, the British firm also used the occasion to announce a technical partnership between Jaguar and the Bloodhound SSC World Land Speed Record program. While it is unclear what the two entities will be sharing in terms of technology and input, an immediate benefit of this alliance is the epically awesome video of an F-Type AWD Coupe R going toe-to-toe with a jet plane in the middle of the Kalahari Desert (which can be seen in the video below). The Bloodhound team was testing its communications equipment to learn how it would function at speeds close to 700 mph. While the jet plane emerges the victor in this particular duel, the F-Type Coupe featured makes up for it by putting on a visual and emotionally riveting spectacle of its own, especially when going flat out in the desert sunshine.

Look for the AWD F-Type Coupe to make its formal debut at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show later this month where it will share the spotlight with its RWD siblings. The AWD F-Type Coupe should make its way to dealer showrooms sometime next year.